Vocational schools improve quality to meet businesses’ requirements

HCM City (VNA) – Improving the quality of vocational education in line with businesses’ requirements was the main focus of a forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 5.

Director of Vietnam Skills for Employment Project (VSEP) Michael Emblem said the annual forum gathers Vietnamese educational leaders and policy makers to discuss developing vocational education to meet the demand of the labour market – which is changing rapidly in the country.

The project aims to help Vietnam develop a vocational education system according to Canadian models and help youngsters access education and training services and seek high-income jobs.

President of Ho Chi Minh City-based Vietnam National University Huynh Thanh Dat said reforming to meet social development is a big challenge for the education sector.

He added universities and vocational training facilities are working to forge links with businesses to train high-quality students who can use new technologies.

Director of the National Institute for Vocational Education and Training under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Vu Xuan Hung reported that the country has nearly 2,000 vocational education facilities.

Some businesses have worked with schools to provide employment requirements, technical information, and scholarships for students and taken them on for work experience, he said. 

However, ties between enterprises and vocational schools are still small scale and unsustainable, he added.

The ministry is striving to develop 70 high-quality schools by 2020, including 40 reaching the level of developed countries in ASEAN.

To realise the target, Hung suggested reforming State management in vocational education, including refining legal regulations and policies in the field.

He suggested promoting autonomy in vocational schools and building national standards to ensure quality of training.

Director of the General Directorate for Vocational Training under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Hong Minh recommended increasing career guidance and professional skills competitions for employees in businesses.-VNA